Motorcycle tips?

A

autobahn

New member
Bust them out here for all you bike detailers.... I wanna know your processes! What chrome polishes do you use? Any tips on polishing scratches on plastic fairings and windshields? What about engines? Anything you have to watch out for when washing/cleaning an engine?



I think bike detailing might be an untapped market, some people who don't give a crap about their cars might have a harley that they treat like gold.
 
I suspect you're absolutely right. About three months ago I detailed a friend's Ducati. Very nice bike. He's got a Staintune exhaust that is gorgeous. I used Master Formula metal polish on it, and with a few passes and elbow grease on the stubborn spots, it came out great. I'm anxious to hit it again, this time with Clearkote metal polish. Beyond that I can't offer much help. His windshield was in good shape, but I now have some Sonus polish for the next visit. I used Four Star's ultimate wheel cleaner gel on the wheels. I used Poorboy's SSR 2, Pro Polish, EX, and NB on the tank, fenders, and fairing, and a very light coat of Natural Look on the seat.
 
I've been thinking of using 1Z cockpit premium on the seats since it doesn't leave a slick finish... I can imagine a slick finish on a seat would be bad news.



Is sealing chrome with AIO/SG an okay idea?
 
Don't detail sportbikes unless you know what you're doing...seriously. A wayward spray into the electronics or instrument cluster could spell disaster. A buddy's Ducati 999 died in the rain and he had to replace the ECM (or PCM, whatever), $1200 used. For most sportbikes you're ok using a hose, but be careful. Cover instruments and handlebars with plastic bags, don't spray directly into the headlight area, etc.

Don't make the seat slippery and never apply any shine on the tires. You'll probably have to clean and lube the chain too.



lots of don'ts, but most bike owners are VERY attached to their bikes, hence the warning :).
 
That's really good advice. In my case I probably should've mentioned that any time I used the hose it was with a very gentle spray, and only where I was told I could use it. :) NL was the only dressing, and it was a very thin coat, buffed twice. Made a great cosmetic difference on the seat, and didn't seem slick to the hands or the butt.



Just sharing my very limited experience. I can only think of one other motorcyle that will receive my attention, and my wife hasn't let me buy it yet. :)
 
with a bike I'd never use a spray, only a mitt and a flood rinse - I don't think a flood rinse could cause the electrics to get messed up as bikes probably should be weatherproofed to some degree.
 
autobahn said:
with a bike I'd never use a spray, only a mitt and a flood rinse - I don't think a flood rinse could cause the electrics to get messed up as bikes probably should be weatherproofed to some degree.
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To some degree yes but, the way water hits a bike on the road can be very different than when it hits a bike during a wash. It might be useful to treat a bike like you treat an engine when you wash it being careful of all the electrics. If you think about it a bike is mostly just a big engine compartment with a seat on it.
 
Don't have that problem with Harleys! Can soak the crap outta their instrument panels!

Only do bikes in sections, begin with wheels. Be sure you know the wheel cleaner is safe for the type of wheel your doing. Then use something like S100 spray cleaner down below where most of the grime is. Try your best not to spray directly into the cases as some cleaners can cause problems down the road. Never use dressings on seat or tires. A wee bit of leather conditioner on seat is ok. Why not try a risneless wash on the rest of the bike with a rag? Yes, AIO, or similar is great on plastics and windshields.

Check out bikerdepot or such for more thorough advice.

Good Luck!
 
yeah my fzr400 isnt sensative to water either.



flood the instruments on occasion when not paying attention and no issues.



only when i removed the side mid and lower fairings and then washed the frame did water get in the plug wires and it took a few days of drying and push starts to get going again.



its a carbed '89 though.. newer fuelies might be the problem.
 
If bikes were that sensitive to water wouldn't everyone that was left in a downpour be crapping out?
 
RJJ said:
If bikes were that sensitive to water wouldn't everyone that was left in a downpour be crapping out?
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I don't believe anyone here said that bikes were "that sensitive" to water. A bike though is VERY different than washing the exterior of a car in that there are electrical connections all over a bike that can get water in them if you are not careful. Get water in those connections and you are eventually gonna run into a problem. All I am saying is be careful where you blast the water.
 
RJJ said:
If bikes were that sensitive to water wouldn't everyone that was left in a downpour be crapping out?
Click to expand...

I only mentioned probably the MOST water sensitive sportbike out there, Ducati superbikes. Most bikes do fine in the rain.
 
Most of the same products you use on a car can be applied to bike with common sense.



#1 rule IMO . . . absolutely no dressing on tires no matter how tempting. Same goes for footpegs. Dress sparingly on saddles with non-slip dressing usually OK, but I always check with owner as some are particular.



Treat painted areas (tanks, fenders, fairings) like car panels. Same goes for treating exhaust and chrome same for bikes and cars.



Hose wash ok for engines/electronics . . . don't use pressure washer. Common sense prevails around spark plugs, oil filler caps, wiring, etc.



Pay attention to all the nooks and crannies and the end result will show the difference between a typical owner clean and professional detail.
 
to me, cleaning a bike has been the easy part, its when you start protecting that becomes very time consuming applying and removing various sealants and waxes to all the nooks and crannies for best protection.
 
Don't own a Ducati but I still cannot imagine that any modern bike needs to be protected against water migration into any system within reason of course. For instance, the manual of our BMW says only not to use pressure washers, no other advisory is given. Well it also says never to use warm water when rinsing off salt, but...
 
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